Drop foot brace



M. A. PARK DROP FOOT BRACE Oct. 10, 1950 Filed Nov. 16;, 1949 .JZ/iPark INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12,525,237; r a i 2 DROP FOOT BRAcE Marion A. Park, St. Louis, Mo. Application November 16, 1949, Serial No. 127,649

2-Claims.

1 This invention relates to a support designed for use by patients suffering from various forms of paralysis, the primary object of the invention being to provide a support which will brace the leg, ankle and foot of the patient wearing the device, assisting in treating and preventing sun another object of the invention is to pro- 1 vide a brace which will be supported by the shoe Worn by the patient, in such a way that the leg brace section of the device may pivot with the bendin of the leg at the ankle, thereby relieving the support of undue pressure required when wearing the usual known leg braces.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will'appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed;

Referring to the drawing Figure l is a perspective view of asupport, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the yieldable means employed in returnin the foot to its normal position, after the bending of the foot in walking.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 indicates the shoe which is provided with a built-up sole 6 and a built-up heel! which is worn by the person using the support.

Fitted between the heel proper l and upper of the shoe, at the heel section thereof, is the plate 8 which includes inner right angled upwardly extended ears 9 and a rearwardly extended main arm II) which is of a length to extend beyond the rear edge of the heel l, as clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawing.

The reference character ll indicates the main supporting arm of the device, which has its lower end curved and bifurcated, the ends of the furcations indicated at l2 being pivotally connected to the ears 9, at [3.

Secured to the rear surface of the arm H, near the lower end thereof,'is the tubular housing M which has its lower end open providin a housing for the coiled spring l5 which has its upper end 2 bearing against the disc I6 against which the tensioning screw l7 engages, the tensioning screw operating through a threaded bore in the upper end of the housing.

The lower end of the coiled spring I5 is fitted over the enlargement I8 holding the lower end of the spring in position on the main bar IU, so that under normal conditions, the action of the spring I5 will be to move the shoe or foot of the person wearing the shoe, to a position at right angles to the main supporting arm I I. It will be obvious that as the shoe moves with the bending of the ankle of the person wearing the shoe, the spring will be placed under tension to urge the shoe and foot to its normal position when the foot is raised in taking a step.

Secured at the upper end of the supporting arm I I, is the strap [9 which is substantially wide and constructed of soft rubber material for the comfort of the wearer. Secured to the strap I9, is a leather strap 20 which connects with the buckle 2| in securing the strap 19, around the leg of the person wearing the brace, the connection being made preferably directly below the knee of the person wearing the brace.

While the brace is designed primarily for treating patients suffering from various diseases such as poliomyelitis, or infantile paralysis, it is to be understood that the device is also beneficial in strengthening the metatarsal, particularly when the foot has a weakness to fall from the front.

With the device forming the subject matter of the present invention, the tension of the spring may be regulated to meet various requirements and conditions, for the benefit of the person using the device.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A support comprising a, plate secured between the heel and upper of a shoe, the plate extendin beyond the heel portion of the shoe, a supporting arm pivotally connected to the plate adjacent to the front of the heel and being curved around the rear of the heel, a strap secured to the upper end of the arm and adapted to secure the upper end of the arm to the leg of the wearer, a tubular housing secured to the arm and disposed vertically, said housing having an open lower end, a coiled spring disposed within the open end of the housing and restingon the plate normally urging the plate and shoe to which the plate is connected, to a position at right angles with respect to the arm.

2. A support comprisin a plate secured between the heel and upper of a shoe, the plate position at right angles with respect to the arm,

and an adjusting screw by means of which the tension of the spring is regulated.

MARION A. PARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 1,332,047 Lasher Feb. 24, 1920 2,444,839 Markkula July 6, 1948 

